Batman's Next Generation: A Glimpse into a Cancelled Future

Fans of the Dark Knight have had a lot to look forward to in the past. Batman has been a staple in comics, TV, movies, and games. The Arkham series, in particular, set a high bar for superhero games. It had an engaging story and gameplay that was ahead of its time. However, it's been a while since the last standalone Batman game. The Arkham universe did continue with Suicide Squad, but it wasn't the Batman experience fans were hoping for. There was another game in the works, though. It was set to feature Damian Wayne as Batman, but it never saw the light of day. Recently, some concept art for this cancelled game surfaced online. The artwork was shared by a character artist named Rodrigue Pralier. It features an older Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne, Killer Croc, and Huntress. The older Bruce is depicted with a cane and leg brace, suggesting he's either aged significantly or suffered a serious injury. Damian, on the other hand, is shown with a scarred face and a shaved head. The art style and character designs suggest this was a project by WB Montreal, likely a sequel to the Arkham series. The game was expected to draw inspiration from Batman Beyond, where an older Bruce Wayne passes on the mantle to a younger successor. In this case, it would've been his son, Damian. The cancelled game was also expected to feature a Nemesis system, similar to the one in Shadow of Mordor, and a batcycle for players to ride. This concept was later used in Gotham Knights, another game developed by WB Montreal. Despite the cancellation, the idea of an older Bruce Wayne passing on the mantle to a younger hero is intriguing. It could've explored themes of legacy, succession, and the passage of time. It's a shame fans never got to see this story unfold. But there is hope. Rumors suggest that Rocksteady, the studio behind the Arkham series, is working on a new Batman game. It might take a while, but fans are hopeful that it will fill the void left by the cancelled Damian Wayne game. The gaming industry is always changing, and there's always room for new stories and new heroes. It's a matter of time before the next big thing comes along.